I am excited to share my success in working out a new way to get scanned files of 35mm and Medium format film. While I have had the supplies and ability to take and develop my film at home (much cheaper and time saving than sending film somewhere to be developed), I have had difficulty in using those images.
At first I was in the market for a new digital scanner, and was hoping to find an affordable and flexible machine that can scan these small strips of film, as well as my medium and small prints. No such luck, as there are many to choose from at affordable prices specifically for film, but not one that could do both for a decent cost. Being a self-starting artist who must find alternative solutions to my problem, I did some research online.
SCANNERS
If you have ever used a film scanner before, you can relate to the frustrations that arise in trying to keep your film strips void of dust and aligned when scanning, and of the mind-numbing time it takes to scan the film in order to get any decent resolution.
I was almost ready to stick to my old HP deskjet built in scanner, when I stumbled upon an fresh and enlightening page online discussing how to use your DSLR camera to capture images of the film, and that it can have even better resolution than even the best Epson film scanners.
Gianluca Bevacqua, a photographer from Southern Italy, shared his technique of using his digital camera to take macro photographs of film over a light table.
With such a complete guide to digitizing negatives, found here;
And featured on PetaPixel here.
(Above: All rights to image reserved to artist; Gianluca Bevaqua)
While at the time I was unsure I had all the right equipment to do it this way, I immediately realized that this would be an easier and cheaper way to get the results I need, so that I can finally start sharing my film photography online.
DIGITIZING FILM NEGATIVES
After trying different combinations of attachments to my camera, I was able to capture my 35 mm film within 4 shots a frame. Focusing on the grains of the film and using a combination of a 14 mm macro lens ring attachment and a macro wide angle lens attachment, I was able to get clear enough shots.After using Photomerge in Photoshop I had complete and successful images.
My first successful test composed the image in 3 shots, and even with just three, the print size came out to be larger than 13"x 20"; when using a scanner I would struggle to get even a decent 11"x15" print size. Clarity is great after a bit of editing, high details are saved since the silver grains can easily stay in focus and dust is much more avoidable since I only work on one negative image at a time.
It is very exciting to find new and better ways to my work and was ecstatic to share.
RESULTS
Nature and Steel structures Juxtaposed, 2016. Digital 35mm Photograph.
Still-life of Paper Sculpture and Avocado in Light, 2016. Digital 35 mm Photograph.